Evacuation Planning

Evacuation planning is the process of scenario development for the tradeoff of moving away from a potential hazard or sheltering in place. The decision to evacuate can be made individually, or it can be mandated. An order to evacuate is usually given by local, state, or national government officials. These decisions are made by determining whether it is necessary to control the movement of individuals and their activities, or to have them shelter in place. Community, organizational, or individual planning for evacuation has become an integral part of crisis and disaster preparedness. Described as crisis relocation, temporary displacement, or evacuating, much planning for possible evacuation in future natural and human-made disasters, including nuclear wartime situations, has been undertaken. Evacuation planning has become a key component ...